At a Glance

Timeless villages, bustling cities, grand manors, renowned universities, beautiful natural areas — explore all of these and more on this jolly good jaunt through England and Wales. Outstanding local experts tell the stories of royals, poets and commoners and illuminate the essence of Britain as you explore Windsor, Oxford, the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and the rugged coast of Wales.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles per day. Some stairs without railings in historic buildings.

Flex

Our Flex learning adventures offer more flexible schedules than our traditional programs, with ample independent time and several meals on your own. Enjoy the camaraderie of the group while also getting time to explore on your own.

Best of all, you'll ...

Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and see the Royal Shakespeare Company perform in one of England's iconic theatres.

Experience the dramatic mountain environment of Snowdonia National Park in Wales.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Conway Davies

Conway Davies earned a degree in history at Bangor University, a master's from Cardiff University, and is completing his Ph.D. at Swansea University. Conway has extensive knowledge of the Welsh language and the history and culture of both North and South Wales. He is the author of two books, "The History of Poor Law Provision in South Wales" and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: the History of Mental Health provision in South Wales."

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Conway Davies

View biography

Oliver Cox

View biography

Suggested Reading List

View 20 books

Londoners

by Craig Taylor

Drawing on the unforgettable stories of nearly 100 Londoners, Taylor provides a rich and vivid kaleidoscopic view of modern-day London through the diverse voices of those who, regardless of whether they love or hate it, capture the heart and soul of one of the world's greatest cities.

A Concise History of Wales

by Geraint H. Jenkins

This brief, authoritative history of Wales and Welsh identity from prehistory to the present is by Garaint Jenkins, longtime director of the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies.

Angry Island, Hunting the English

by A. A. Gill

The splendidly irreverent London critic A.A. Gill includes scathing chapters on voice, humor, drink, animals, garden, sport and class in this comic manual to the English.

Oxford, A Cultural Guide

by Martin Garrett

In this entertaining and brief guide to Oxford, Martin Garrett focuses on what makes Oxford -- Oxford. He takes readers from Oxford's days as an Anglo-Saxon outpost through the 20th century.

The Beatles in Liverpool: The Stories, the Scene, and the Path to Stardom

by Spencer Leigh

This slim biography explores Liverpool’s influence on the young Beatles and charts the seminal moments of one of history’s most revered rock bands.

The British Isles, A History of Four Nations

by Hugh Kearney

The Celts, Romans, Vikings, Normans and modern immigrants all make an appearance in this Canto Classics edition of Kearney's elegant and revisionist history of not just the English but also of the Scots, Welsh and Irish.

Slow Cotswolds

by Caroline Mills

Connect with the people, places, environment and heritage of the Cotswolds and discover for yourself the well-known sights and the unsung delights of the English countryside -- not to mention the foibles of the locals -- in this personable guide.

A Writer's House in Wales

by Jan Morris

In this extended essay, Morris uses her much-loved 18th-century house as a point of departure for a meditation on Welsh identity.

Cider With Rosie

by Laurie Lee

In this memoir of growing up in a small, remote village in the Cotswolds -- set against the backdrop of the First World War -- Lee captures an all-but-vanished rural way of life. Originally published in 1959.

In Search of England

by H.V. Morton, Jan Morris (Introduction)

The much-beloved, enduring account of Morton's ramblings through the English countryside in the early days of the motorcar. Morton charmingly mixes a deep appreciation of the art, culture and history of the place with his own keen observations.

Great Britain and Ireland Map

by Kunth Verlag

A nicely detailed map showing both Great Britain and Ireland at a scale of 1:800,000.

Eyewitness Guide Great Britain

by Eyewitness Guides

With 1,400 photos, maps and excellent introductory chapters, this guide offers both a general overview of Great Britain and a region-by-region look at its attractions.

The Wild Places

by Robert Macfarlane

MacFarlane climbs, walks and swims by day and spends his nights sleeping on cliff-tops and in ancient meadows and wildwoods in this marvelous exploration of the nature of the British Isles.

Shakespeare, A Life

by Park Honan

A delightful, informative and up-to-date biography of The Bard, his life, work and times.

The English Cathedral

by Peter Marlow

In this photographic tribute to each of England's 42 Anglican cathedrals (including the great UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Durham and Canterbury) award-winning photographer Peter Marlow evokes the greatness and humbling power of each magnificent building.

The Shepherd's Life, A Tale of the Lake District

by James Rebanks

The owner of a family farm in the Lake District, James Rebanks covers the shepherd's way of life that he inherited from his father and grandfather, giving voice to his unique connection to the land and its history. Rebanks is a graduate of Oxford and an advisor to UNESCO.

Looking for Class, Days and Nights at Oxford and Cambridge

by Bruce Feiler

A witty, charming and astutely observed account of an American graduate student's year spent in the halls of England's most prestigious academic institutions.

This time, the prolific writer recounts a coastal journey around the British Isles in 1982, displaying his occasional ill temper alongside his celebrated ability to combine social history with a good old-fashioned traveler's tale.

The Story of England

by Christopher Hibbert

Beautifully illustrated with color pictures, chronological charts, royal genealogies and maps, this popular history of English politics, economics and culture from the Neolithic Age to the 1990s is an excellent travel companion.

Lunch: In the hotel dining room for those arriving by lunchtime. A light lunch with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Afternoon: Arrivals continue, with free time for those who have already arrived. At 5pm we will have an Orientation in the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. This program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a series of Study Leaders who will lecture, conduct field trips and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: A seated dinner will be taken in the hotel dining room with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: Free time to unpack, relax and prepare for the program ahead. You may also wish to join your Group Leader for an orientation walk.

DAY

3

Windsor Castle

Windsor

B

Macdonald Hotel Windsor

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room. A breakfast buffet with a range of hot and cold items, as well as coffee, tea, water and fruit juices.

Morning: Begin your morning with a walk from the hotel to Windsor Castle – a remarkable building that has been shaped by the Kings and Queens of England for over 1,000 years. It remains the weekend residence of Her Majesty the Queen and is still used for ceremonial and state occasions, whilst also being home to some of the greatest paintings and works of art in the world. From within the castle we will be able to watch the famous Changing of the Guard, a procession of active Household Guards and a marching band. Please note, the Changing of the Guard may not be available on every departure as schedules are released at very short notice for security reasons.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: Free time. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions should you wish to further explore Windsor.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: Free time.

DAY

4

Transfer to Stratford-Upon-Avon: The City of Oxford

Stratford-upon-Avon.

B,D

Alveston Manor

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: We board the motor coach for our transfer to Stratford-upon-Avon, with a visit en-route to Oxford – the city of “dreaming spires”. Your Oxford expert will meet you in the morning before we set off to explore this fascinating city on foot. Expect to see such sights as the Radcliffe Camera, the Clarendon Building and the Bridge of Sighs, and discover the contrasts of the Classical and Gothic architecture in discussion with your expert as you walk.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: This afternoon we go behind the scenes at Christ Church, one of Oxford’s most famous, and indeed most traditional colleges. Enjoy the secret garden, the famous water meadows and a panoply of buildings from different periods in the city’s history; from Henry VIII and Wolsey’s Tudor Kitchen to the Great Hall and the classical Peckwater Building. From Oxford we will then continue onwards to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Free time.

DAY

5

Stratford-Upon-Avon & The Royal Shakespeare Company

Stratford-upon-Avon.

B,D

Alveston Manor

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy an introduction to Stratford-upon-Avon, before we begin today’s activities with a front of house tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s building and theatres. Your Group Leader will then provide you with a city sightseeing pass, which allows you to visit the famous properties associated with the Great Bard, William Shakespeare. You are then free to explore at your own pace.

Evening: Enjoy a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatre. Performance details will be available in your second set of preparatory materials.

DAY

6

The Cotswolds

Stratford-upon-Avon.

B,L

Alveston Manor

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Today’s field trip takes us by motor coach into to the picturesque Cotswolds countryside. Board the motor coach and set off to explore the quintessentially English villages of Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway and Chipping Campden. Noted for its elegant High Street dating back to the 14th Century, Chipping Campden is lined with traditional Cotswold honey coloured limestone buildings housing some delightful specialist shops and inns. At its centre stands the 17th Century Market Hall, the grand early wool church St. James and a vast and extravagant monument to local wealthy silk merchant Sir Baptist Hicks.

Lunch: Served in a traditional inn.

Afternoon: We continue our exploration of the Cotswolds before returning to the hotel.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: Free time.

DAY

7

Transfer to Deganwy: Chester & Its Grand Cathedral

Deganwy, Conwy

B,D

Quay Hotel and Spa

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: We transfer by motor coach to our next base, Deganwy. Perched at the mouth of the River Conwy, it sits across the bay from Conwy itself - an historic walled market town on the north coast of Wales. On the way we will visit the ancient city of Chester, where we will meet a local expert to take a walk through 2,000 years of history. Originally a Roman fortress and settlement known as Deva Victrix, we’ll see how Chester has grown and evolved from these foundations into a fully walled city before finishing at the spectacular Chester Cathedral.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Our transfer to Conwy continues.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Free time.

DAY

8

Conwy Castle & Town

Deganwy, Conwy

B,D

Quay Hotel and Spa

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning your Study Leader will give you a potted history of Wales, telling you everything you’ll need to know about this fascinating and ancient country. We will then board the motor coach to explore Conwy Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the city walls. Conwy Castle sits above the town, and still dominates the skyline with its rugged stone and imposing fortifications. It was originally built by Edward I as part of his “iron ring” of castles in an attempt to contain the rebellious Welsh, and furthermore to provoke a humbling reaction – something it still manages to do to this day. We’ll follow this with a walk of Conwy’s ancient circuit of walls, guarded by no fewer than 22 towers and stretching over three quarters of a mile in length.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Your Study Leader will lead you through some more highlights of this city and orientate you to its many and varied attractions, followed by free time.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Wales is famous for its mellifluous music, and this evening you will be able to experience this with a traditional Welsh musical performance.

DAY

9

Snowdonia National Park

Deganwy, Conwy

B,L

Quay Hotel and Spa

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: We board the motor coach for a full day expert-led excursion into Snowdonia National Park. Spanning over 800 square miles, it was the first of three National Parks in Wales, officially inaugurated in 1951. Snowdonia boasts, amongst other things, the largest mountain in Wales, the largest natural lake in Wales and a wealth of charming villages. The area is rich in culture and history and more than half of its participants speak Welsh.

Lunch: Taken out in a village in the Snowdonia National Park.

Afternoon: The field trip continues through landscapes of stunning natural beauty.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: Free time.

DAY

10

Transfer to The Lake District: The City of Liverpool

Keswick

B,D

Skiddaw Hotel

Breakfast: Full Welsh and continental breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: This morning we transfer by motor coach to the Lake District, via the city of Liverpool. Home to the Beatles, the world famous Liverpool Football Club and the bustling Albert Docks, Liverpool was once one of the busiest port cities in the world. Known for its rich architectural heritage, it is home to many buildings regarded as amongst the greatest examples of their respective styles in the world and several areas of the city centre were granted World Heritage Status in 2004. We will stop at Albert Dock, constructed in 1846 and today comprising the single largest collection of Grade I listed building anywhere in Britain. The dock houses restaurants, bars and shops as well as the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum and a museum dedicated to The Beatles. Art lovers may wish to visit Tate Liverpool, which houses a large collection of modern and contemporary greats.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: The transfer to the Lake District continues, followed by an illustrated talk and Q&A session with your Study Leader for this section of the programme.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Free time, or join your Study Leader for an optional walk of the local area.

DAY

11

Castle Cottage & Beatrix Potter’s Lake District

Keswick

B

Skiddaw Hotel

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: A unique opportunity to hear and learn about the real Beatrix Potter as we board the motor coach and travel to the village of Sawrey. Here the new tenant of Castle Cottage, Beatrix Potter’s former home and now a National Trust property, will show us around the cottage, the garden and the historic barns before treating us to tea and coffee, served with traditional Lake District treats. Following this we will take a gentle walk through Sawrey and on to Hill Top Garden, a beguiling space full of flowers, fruits and vegetables before exploring the village of Hawkshead – home to a young William Wordsworth during his schooldays.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Enjoy a different perspective on the Lakes as you take a steamer ride from Lakeside to Ambleside, with an opportunity to visit ancient Castle Rigg stone circle along the way.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: Free time.

DAY

12

Bowness-on-Windermere, Coniston & Brantwood

Keswick

B,D

Skiddaw Hotel

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Once aboard the motor coach, we’ll take a scenic lakeside drive to Bowness-on-Windermere and the Arts & Crafts style Blackwell House. Here we will receive an introductory talk from a local docent before exploring the many fine pieces on display.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: This afternoon we travel by launch across the picturesque and serene Coniston Water, to pay a visit to Brantwood House & Gardens. Home to the great Victorian and man of letters John Ruskin, it is one of the most beautifully situated houses in the Lake District. The house itself is both a treasure trove of historical importance and a lively centre of contemporary arts and the environment. Displays and activities in the house, gardens and estate reflect the wealth of cultural associations with Ruskin’s legacy – from the Pre-Raphaelites and Arts & Crafts movement to the founding of the National Trust and the Welfare State. We’ll return to the hotel via the Langdales, a pair of valleys dramatically cut through the very heart of the Lake District.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Free time.

DAY

13

Transfer to Manchester: Kirkstone Pass & Holker Hall

Manchester

B,L,D

Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Today we transfer by motor coach to our final destination, Manchester, via the dramatic Kirkstone Pass – the highest pass open to motor traffic in the Lake Distrct home to some truly spectacular views. As we travel onwards we’ll stop at 16th Century Holker Hall and Gardens, contemporaneously described as “the grandest building of its date in Lancashire, by the best architects living in the country”. We’ll have time to explore the house, as well as the gardens which seem to merge into the very hills themselves.

Lunch: Taken at Holker Hall.

Afternoon: The transfer to Manchester continues.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Free time to pack and say farewell to your new found friends.

DAY

14

Program Concludes

Manchester

B

Breakfast: In the hotel. Some participants may depart prior to breakfast.

Morning: Transfer by Shuttle Bus to Manchester Airport (MAN) for onward flights. Your Group Leader will assist you in making arrangements. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals

24 Meals

12 Breakfasts

4 Lunches

8 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Low Salt, Low Fat, Vegetarian

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Situated on Windsor High Street, just opposite the famous Windsor Castle, Macdonald Windsor offers luxury bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. The hotel also features a stylish restaurant and bar. The individually styled rooms at Macdonald Windsor have air conditioning and modern bathrooms with free toiletries. Rooms also feature flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and iPod docks.

Situated in the heart of Shakespeare country, the historic Alveston Manor Hotel is set in its own grounds just 5 minutes walk from all the cultural attractions of Stratford-upon-Avon and retains some 16th century original features. Most bedrooms are in the modern wing.

Set on the idyllic Conwy Estuary, the Quay Hotel commands awe-inspiring views of the most magical scenery in North Wales and is located within easy reach of Snowdonia National Park, the neighbouring medieval town of Conwy and Victorian Llandudno.

The three-star Skiddaw Hotel is set in the picturesque market town of Keswick, this Keswick hotel is the ideal base to enjoy the area and all it has to offer with stunning lakes and fells on the doorstep.

The Crowne Plaza Manchester hotel boasts a gym, stylish restaurant, high speed WiFi and new meeting rooms. The hotel also has airport parking with a free shuttle bus to Manchester airport and the airport train station. Superbly located on the Manchester Airport complex, the four-star Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport Hotel offers you fantastic accommodation with easy access to the M56, M60 and M62, as well as Manchester City Centre.

This is a first-class program for those who want to combine travel, education and fun. Everything my wife and I experience with Roads Scholar was conceived and carried out at very high standard of performance. The attention to detail - - expecially in the pre-departure stage, makes this a top travel-vacation option especially for seniors of every educational experience.

This program was very active, yet very pleasant. All of the guides and our group leader were a joy. If you have already seen London, this tour of Windsor, Stratford, the Cotswolds, north Wales, and the Lake District is a great way to see a different side of the United Kingdom.

I just returned from The Best of England and Wales and can't recommend the program too highly. For those with a deep interest in English history and Shakespeare the program is catnip. The lectures and travel in Wales is a welcone addition. The Lake district is England's version of the Alps and wonderful for outdoor actvities as well as touring great country houses and beautiful villages.